West Side is focus of panel discusson

Steven Ricca, a partner at Jaeckle Fleischmann & Mugel LLP, will moderate “Buffalo’s West Side Story – A Burgeoning Multicultural Community” on Wednesday, May 28 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 724 Delaware Ave.

The panel discussion, presented by the Urban Land Institute, will take place from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event, featuring an international food fair, will include leaders in the not-for-profit and economic development sectors. The goal is to raise awareness of and promote community revitalization efforts on Buffalo’s West Side.

Opening speaker is Louise Sano, a Rwanda native and proprietor of Global Villages, who will share her life experiences and challenges as a businessperson. The panel discussion will cover such topics as the West Side Sustainable Community Plan, small-business development and retention efforts, overcoming language and cultural barriers, and access to affordable housing.